Club of the Waves

Mayumi Tsub­okura

Scroll

Artist — Biarritz, France (via Japan)

Mayumi Tsubokura was born in Tokyo in 1952. Raised in a traditional Japanese spirit, he was introduced to painting at an early age by his father, a writer, who also encouraged him to practice various martial arts. He discovered surfing at 17 in Japan and soon after in Hawaii, where his life changed as he put away years of Japanese martial discipline. A changed man, he left a westernized Tokyo for a new life in Paris, where he entered the Beaux-arts school. Travelling to Tahiti in the early 80s, painting waves for his surfer friends marked a turning point in his art. He conveyed their haunted love, humility and great respect for the ocean in his paintings, mixing Japanese roots, Polynesian inspirations, and European technique. His mastery, his kindness and genuine passion for the ocean fascinated surfing’s most influential people and beyond. Read Mayumi’s story…

Website

mayumi.fr

Mayumi Tsubokura
Backdoor
Pipeline in the night
Eddie
mayumi-tsubokura-surf-artist
Island
Kelly Slater with Mayumi Tsubokura
More artists

Sign up for our newsletter